PRAMS was developed in 1987 to help reduce infant morbidity and mortality by providing data not available elsewhere about pregnancy and the first few months after birth. It is part of CDC’S Safe Motherhood and Infant Health Initiative. As of May 2016, PRAMS is funded in 51 sites and covers 83% of all live births in the United States. Sites now include 47 states, New York City, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and the Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Health Board.

PRAMS data can:

Identify groups of women and infants at high risk for health problems.

Provide information for state health officials to improve the health of mothers and infants.

Allow states and CDC to monitor changes in maternal and child health indicators, such as breastfeeding, smoking and drinking during pregnancy, and infant health.

Address emerging health issues of particular concern to pregnant women, including responding to disaster or assistance with surveillance for pandemic infectious disease.